I just submitted my AHPRA last week (phew - finally!) and I know they next stage is just a waiting game that can take weeks to months. In the mean time I wanted to go ahead and start gathering some information as to what to expect when trying to enter the job field here.
A bit of background on myself - I graduated with a BSN from the US in 2009 and worked in High Risk OB for 3 1/2 years at a women's hospital in Florida. I relocated back to Australia last year (I am a permanent resisdent) and have been out on maternity leave this last year. My family and I are living in Cairns at the moment. I'm ready and eager to get back to work, because I feel like a piece of me is missing and I also don't want my skills to diminish any more!!
I've been hearing some very discouraging things about job availability in this region and mixed input on whether or not to contact an agency. I'm told there are nothing but casual positions available at the base hospital here and that if I go with an agency then I am likely to be placed in a nursing home (not what I want to do). Some people have suggested that with my background I might be able to work in an obstetrical area, but I am pretty sure this is not true (I'm not a midwife). I fear that if I do get hired on as a causal at the hospital I am just going to be thrown into the "deep end" with very little orientation in an area I am not familiar.
What should I expect when I interview? Is it extremely formal? Is there a panel generally that you have to sit in front of? I am very fearful of this process. Also is it acceptable to go into a interview with certain areas you are willing to work in, in my case women's surgical, scbu? Also I've looked at the Queensland health nursing wages breakdown and am I correct in saying that I would be a Nursing Grade 5. Would my pay point be a 1? Or would they honor my experience and advance my pay point?
K+MgSO4, BSN
1,753 Posts
Yeah you are in a country that protects it people in different ways. Union membership, free healthcare unemployment assistance.